Stress-Induced Hair Fall - Causes, Types, and Treatment

Introduction

Hairs are an essential part of face esthetics. Our hair goes through various phases of growth and loss in our entire life. In some people, hair growth and loss patterns become irregular due to many reasons resulting in thinning, loss of hair resulting in bald patches, and losing hair at any age could be a nightmare for anyone, as it affects the look of the person, one tends to look older than actual age with bald patches.

What Are the Types of Hair Loss?

Hair loss can be of two types, namely reversible and non-reversible; reversible hair fall is when due by some stress or disease or nutritional deficiency there is hair fall occurs when the condition is treated, hair regrows, while in non-reversible hair fall, hair does not regrow because the hair follicle is damaged due to some stimuli like in genetic, autoimmune, hormonal diseases.

There are different types of hair fall, namely,

• Androgenetic alopecia is usually seen in males. It is caused due to overproduction of male hormones called testosterone and its derivative dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This condition is seen in the genetic types of hair loss.

• Telogen effluvium is caused due to physical stress like any surgery or trauma during pregnancy leading to hair fall.

• Traction alopecia is due to excessive pulling of hair which can make hair follicles fragile.

• Applying too much pressure while combing during hair styling can cause hair fall.

• Alopecia areata is a condition in which the body attacks hair follicles leading to hair fall. It is an autoimmune disease and is sometimes caused due to severe stress.

• Anagen effluvium type of hair fall is caused due to side effects of medicine or over-exposure to radiation or any fungal infection.

• Trichotillomania is a condition in which, because of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and tension, one starts to pull hair, causing the weakening of hair follicles and bald patches.

What Are the Causes of Hair Fall?

Hair Fall is a problem that every person faces that is a natural part of the hair growth and falling cycle, but some people experience hair fall from the root with no regrowth, and for that, there are multiple reasons mentioned below,

• Genetics pass on in the generation, and family history with hair loss can be an irreversible type of hair fall.

• Hair styling can damage hair; some people like to experiment with their hair by using a heating tool like an air dryer, straightener, or curler; regular use of these things can make hair thinner and weaker, making it prone to breakage and drying.

• Scarring of the hair follicle can lead to inflammation which damages the sebaceous gland, a gland that secretes natural oil called sebum to the scalp for hair nourishment, due to which one can suffer from hair loss. This condition is also known as cicatricial alopecia.

• An autoimmune disease called the alopecia areata is a condition in which a person's immune system attacks the hair follicle, due to which the hair cycle is affected. The hair starts to shed more than usual, with no new hair growth creating bald patches and hair thinning.

• Emotional and physical stress can cause telogen effluvium kind of hair loss, emotional stress is when due to a closer person's death or ill health one can be emotionally affected that can cause hair fall, physical stress is when due to some physical trauma, accident or illness like flu or any other severe condition like surgery that can cause physical stress on the body that can cause hair fall. This condition is mostly reversible when stress is reduced.

• Many medicines can show side effects of hair fall depending on the use. It could be temporary or chronic; medicine such as blood thinners, birth control pills, steroids, and antidepressants can show side effects of hair fall.

• Patients with hypothyroid anemia show signs of hair fall, and the underactive thyroid gland can cause hypothyroid and poor absorption of iron in the blood can cause anemia.

• Lack of protein, a vitamin B diet, and too much Vitamin A supplement can also cause hair fall.

• Too much production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of testosterone, can damage hair follicles leading to irreversible hair fall.

• In female, many hormonal changes can cause hair fall; women experiences hair fall during pregnancy, post-pregnancy, and during menopause, also due to polycystic ovarian disease.

How Can Stress Affect Hair Loss?

According to the studies, stress can impact overall personal well-being. Hairfall induced due to stress can be temporary or permanent, depending upon the impact of stress on the body. Stress can cause hormonal imbalance impacting on thyroid, causing anemia, polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), depression, etc., which can cause hair fall.

Chronic stress can increase adrenaline in the body that cholesterol, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone level are elevated; dihydrotestosterone can impact hair follicles by putting them into a permanent resting phase due to which there is no hair growth after hair fall leading to thinning, from the crown region, more than 150 strands of hair are shed every day, eventually leading to bald patches.

How To Treat Hair Fall Induced Due to Stress?

Hairfall related to temporary stress conditions is reversible, while chronic stress-related hair falls are sometimes irreversible and are difficult to manage. Hairfall can be managed with a proper diet including iron, protein, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for hair growth, adequate sound sleep of at least seven to eight hours is a must, and exercise and meditation help release happy hormones called endorphins and serotonin which can help in coping with stress.

There are various other options also which can be prescribed and done by health care providers to activate damaged hair follicles.

• Mesotherapy is a kind of minimally invasive massage done on the scalp to activate blood vessels nourishing hair follicles for hair growth. It requires multiple sitting for effective results.

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a minimally invasive procedure, in this treatment, a person's plasma is injected into the scalp, and this plasma is rich in growth factors that will help in the growth of new hairs.

• Minoxidil and Finasteride are topical medicines applied on the scalp available in 2 %, 5 %, and 10 % can be used as advised by the health care provider. They act as a vasodilator, opening blood vessels that can help in microcirculation and acts as antioxidants useful in inhibiting dihydrotestosterone production in the hair follicle.

• A hair transplant is a surgical procedure in which hairs are removed from the donor site and are grafted on the scanty area, also called the recipient site.

Conclusion

Stress can negatively impact the body, so avoid stress, as stress can cause temporary and permanent hair loss depending upon the severity. The hair loss sign may not be sudden to notice, but over months the damage will be noticeable, and the condition may become irreversible. It is best advised to seek help at an earlier stage so the hair loss is manageable.